🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Mexican teachers protest, topple World Cup statues ahead of tournament
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Protesting teachers in Mexico City toppled statues of football players on the main promenade and threatened further demonstrations before the World Cup if their labor demands are not met. The dissident wing of the national teachers' union, CNTE, organized the protest and is also threatening mass demonstrations at the World Cup's opening on June 11. Protesters used ropes to bring down three five-meter-high plastic statues, stripping and burning their uniforms. Graffiti on a nude mannequin read, "Long live the CNTE," and another stated, "If there isn’t a solution, the ball won’t roll." This follows a Monday incident where police dispersed another CNTE march with tear gas and sound grenades near the Zocalo plaza, the site for the World Cup "Fan fest." The CNTE dissident wing is demanding a 100 percent salary increase and opposes pension reforms, rejecting a nine percent raise agreed upon by the official union leadership. The protest on Tuesday caused road closures and traffic congestion in the capital. While statues representing Belgium, France, and Spain were toppled, the mannequin in the Mexican kit remained standing. Police did not intervene. Juan Pablo de la Cruz, a 44-year-old teacher, stated, "If Sheinbaum calls toppling some statues a crime, what would she call the act of taking away our rights? We need to be more firm." President Claudia Sheinbaum described the protest as peaceful, and a government statement called for a resumption of dialogue. Mexico is co-hosting the W
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
BreakingKuwait reported that Iran struck another of its power and water plants, leading to the deactivation of several power generation units. This marks the second such attack in as many days, with the first occurring on Friday. Kuwait's fire service stated that Saturday's attacks caused fires at two locations, injuring several firefighters and a worker. The country's national carrier rescheduled most flights due to the temporary suspension of air traffic at Kuwait International Airport, attributed to rocket and drone attacks. Concurrently, Bahrain's army announced its air defenses repelled a wave of Iranian attacks, with an AFP journalist in Manama reporting blasts after sirens. Bahrain's interior ministry confirmed five air-raid sirens since dawn, advising residents to seek shelter. The Iranian army previously stated it targeted a US-used air base in Bahrain in retaliation for American strikes, according to Iran's state broadcaster, specifying drones targeted aircraft shelters, parking areas, fuel storage tanks, and connecting bridges at Sheikh Isa Air Base.
The Jigawa State Government has adopted a digital revenue collection platform to automate collections in the informal sector, aiming to improve transparency, enhance accountability, and curb revenue leakages. Developed by eTranzact International Plc, the platform was unveiled during a stakeholders’ engagement and capacity-building program organized with the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service in Dutse. It is designed to digitize revenue collection across livestock markets, grain markets, haulage operations, and other informal sector activities, replacing manual processes with an automated electronic payment system. Over 90 revenue collectors, market leaders, and other key stakeholders received training on its operation. Gabriel Essien, Deputy General Manager and Group Head, Public Sector Division States at eTranzact International, stated that the platform provides real-time transaction monitoring, eliminates revenue leakages, and offers accurate data for informed decision-making. He explained that it integrates multiple digital payment channels, including mobile wallets and Point-of-Sale terminals, ensuring all payments are electronically tracked and remitted directly into designated government accounts. Nwabueze Ugwu, Regional Manager, Northwest, eTranzact International, noted that the solution provides end-to-end automation, enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening accountability. Dr. Nasir Sabo-Idris, Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service, said th
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